Gentlemen ... edit..it may be slightly unfair to stereotype the entire NFL organization as "thugs" and anti American...
There are many fine, hard working people in the ranks deemed as NFL personnel....the actions of the small percentage of the 1500+ player's did not think things thru, or expect how their actions were going to be construed when they decided to make their stand on the worldwide stage...
Well, I guess We will just have to disagree.
I didn't hear ONE of those 1500 people you referred to stand up and say that kneeling while THE NATIONAL ANTHEM was playing was wrong.
... and there were many games that the stadiums had many empty seats.